Overview
- First extensive study of criminal networks
- The case study designs and analytical paths are straightforward and can serve as a source for future research endeavours using a variety of data sources
Part of the book series: Studies of Organized Crime (SOOC, volume 8)
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About this book
What do an illegal drug importer, a stolen car exporter, a Hells Angels member, an accountant, and an airplane hijacker have in common? Like most people, they all operate in social networks – and at times, they come together in criminal networks which, though tightly structured and controlled, undergo constant change. Inside Criminal Networks takes a social network perspective to a variety of illegal enterprises, focusing on these organizations’ "flexible order" and the collective coping and adjustment strategies of offenders when key members or opportunities are lost.
Rich with communication data, electronic surveillance material, and other law-enforcement investigative sources, case studies pursue a number of analytical paths into the partnerships, pecking orders, and situations in flux (e.g., street gang presence within drug distribution), and identify central challenges to research (e.g., are these failed networks if members are arrested?). Flexibility is revealed as a driving force as the book examines: Operational structures and dynamics - Roles of key and peripheral players - The tentative balance between efficiency and security - Criminal network positions and individual traits - Uses of legitimate actors in illegal settings - Adaptation when networks are disrupted.
Compellingly written and meticulously presented, Inside Criminal Networks offers rare up-close insights to readers in the criminology and organized crime research fields, and to social network theorists and analysts.
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Keywords
Table of contents (10 chapters)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Author: Carlo Morselli (Assistant Professor at the School of Criminology, Université de Montréal)
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Inside Criminal Networks
Authors: Carlo Morselli
Series Title: Studies of Organized Crime
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09526-4
Publisher: Springer New York, NY
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Social Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag New York 2009
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-387-09525-7Published: 27 October 2008
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4419-1861-1Published: 29 November 2010
eBook ISBN: 978-0-387-09526-4Published: 18 December 2008
Series ISSN: 1571-5493
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XII, 204
Number of Illustrations: 32 b/w illustrations
Topics: Criminology and Criminal Justice, general, Social Sciences, general